KIRSTEN H. SMITH

Kirsten H. Smith practices primarily in the Firm’s Consumer Defense Section, Licensing Section, and Compliance & Regulatory Section. She is a uniquely skilled attorney with extensive experience representing businesses in the financial services industry.

Kirsten has appeared and argued in numerous federal and state courts across the country. She has defended thousands of single-plaintiff and class action lawsuits alleging claims under various consumer protection statutes, such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. She has amassed many dozens of wins on important issues impacting businesses in the financial services industry.

In addition, Kirsten is well known in the industry as an expert on the licensing requirements for debt collectors, debt buyers, loan servicers, and many other financial services businesses. She regularly provides legal advice relating to acquisitions and transactions, ensuring clients obtain the necessary licenses and regulatory approvals to continue to operate through corporate ownership changes. She also assists clients in creating and implementing strategic, cost-effective, and compliant licensing plans.

HONORS AND DISTINCTIONS

• Certificate in Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Tulane Maritime Law Journal, Managing Editor
• Judge John R. Brown National Admiralty Moot Court Competition, Competitor (2008) and Team Coach (2009)
• Member of the Tulane Domestic Violence Law Clinic (2008-2009)

EDUCATION

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) (magna cum laude), Tulane University Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana (2009)
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi (2006)

ADMISSIONS

• U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals
• U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals
• U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• U.S. District Court of Colorado
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
• U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
• Georgia State Courts
• Louisiana State Courts
• New York State Courts